Engineering Worker Confidence Index Pulls Back in Q2 Amid Concerns Over Economy; Majority Still Plan to Job Search

ATLANTA, Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Randstad Engineering Employee Confidence Index, a measure of overall confidence among U.S. engineers, was 59.0 in the second quarter of 2012—a decrease of 5.9 points since reaching a four year high last quarter. The quarterly report, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad Engineering, surveyed 165 workers employed in the engineering industry. The second quarter findings indicate high levels of apprehension when it comes to workers feelings about the strength of the economy and future of their employers.

"Engineering professionals continue to be one of the most confident sectors tracked by Randstad," said Richard Zambacca, president of Randstad Engineering. "Despite this dip in overall confidence, engineers remain highly confident in their ability to find alternative employment, as well as in their intentions to do so in the near future. Helping to fuel this confidence is the growing need for not only highly skilled workers, but also entry level workers that have a few years under their belts. In fact, there were 84,636 engineering graduates in 2009. This is eleven percent fewer engineering bachelor degrees than in 1984. Not only are we seeing fewer young engineers entering the industry, but we are also seeing a gap in the level of demand and the available supply of skilled talent with ten to sixteen years of experience. Additionally, with the comeback of the auto industry, the need for already highly-sought-after mechanical and electrical engineers continues to rise. We also expect to continue to see an increase in civil construction projects and funding for green design and sustainable structures—which will also drive growth in the industry."  

Q2, 2012 Survey Highlights:

Engineering Workers Concerned About the Strength of Economy

• Nearly four in ten (38 percent) engineering professionals believe the economy is getting stronger, a slight decline from 40 percent in Q1 2012. At the same time, 38 percent believe the economy is getting weaker (versus 22 percent in the first quarter).

Over One in Four Engineers Believe More Jobs Available

• Over one in four workers believe that more jobs are available (28 percent). There is a five percentage point increase of engineers who believe fewer jobs are available (44 percent in the second quarter compared to 39 percent in the first quarter).

Majority of Engineers Remain Confident in Ability to Find a New Job

• Fifty-eight percent of engineers feel confident in their ability to find a new job—a small increase from 57 percent in the first quarter of 2012.

Twenty Percent More Engineers Likely to Search for New Employment

• Forty-five percent of engineering workers are likely to look for a new job within the next 12 months—a 19 percentage point increase from previous quarter.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad Engineering from April 10-12, May 16-18 and June 11-13, 2012, among 3,790 adults ages 18 and older of which 165 are employed in engineering. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact [email protected].

About Randstad Engineering
Randstad Engineering has been matching clients with the expert engineering and technical staff needed to help their companies succeed since 1988. With degreed engineers and expert technical recruiters on staff who understand the unique challenges of your industry, Randstad Engineering partners with companies on their specific business goals by quickly connecting them with the expert professionals to help achieve them. With an extensive network of three million engineers and other technical experts—Randstad Engineering has the right talent to get the job done.

About Randstad
Randstad is a $22.5 billion global provider of HR services and the second largest staffing organization in the world. From temporary staffing to permanent placement to inhouse, professionals, search & selection, and HR Solutions, Randstad holds top positions around the world and has approximately 28,700 corporate employees working from its nearly 4,700 branches and inhouse locations in 40 countries. Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands, Randstad Holding nv is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam. Learn more at http://www.randstad.com.      

SOURCE Randstad Engineering